Many corporations and businesspersons exploit the chaos around conflict and its aftermath by trafficking in natural resources. Stop them from profiting off the suffering of vulnerable communities. Pillage is a war crime. Prosecute corporate war criminals.

The campaign

The practice of pillage

Since the end of the Cold War, the illegal exploitation of natural resources has become a key source of funding for armed conflicts around the globe.

The trade in looted raw materials (gold, tungsten, coltane, diamonds, precious wood, etc.) has provided warring parties with the financial means to commit atrocities in some of the worst war zones in recent history, including:

Afghanistan

Angola

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Colombia

East Timor

Sierra Leone

The illicit trade in these raw materials depends on commercial actors (traders, companies, refineries) to purchase, transport, and market the illegally acquired resources. The involvement of these corporate actors enables the violence and perpetuation of human rights abuses.

International law condemns looting in the context of an armed conflict and considers pillage a war crime. Nevertheless, looting and the laundering of these illicitly obtained natural resources continue in numerous regions around the world.

Pillage will stop only when the corporate actors involved in this predatory economy are held accountable for their actions.

3 NGO’s united in the fight against looting

The Open Society Justice Initiative, Conflict Awareness Project and TRIAL International are three NGO’s working to reduce war crimes and impunity.

They are joining forces to advance the fight against the looting of natural resources in conflict zones.

“Stop Pillage” works to hold perpetrators and accomplices of pillage around the world accountable by gathering reports, conducting investigations, building cases for criminal complaints, and raising global public awareness.